Water Ingress

[Mikeyboy7]

Thank for the reply. The area I am referring to is at the top above the window seat The house is built of stone . We cannot see any gaps in the current silicone around the window on the outside. The leak seemed start appearing in the corner and gradually extend over the day. One irony perhaps unrelated perhaps not . We had our gutters cleaned last week.View attachment 15208

The windows are accoya wood not uvpc.

 

[Mikeyboy7]

Sorry, I didn’t mean to hijack your thread! I have UPVC Alucad sash windows too, and I’m dealing with the same issue, but it’s even worse in my old property. Just wondering if I should use something other than silicone inside. I totally know how you’re feeling—it’s definitely not an easy fix!

 

[JollySteven]

View attachment 15254

View attachment 15255

I understand . It does look as if we have a similar problem. The window fitters have since visited the property . They felt everything was sealed . There were no problems with the silicone sealant. However, he drew attention to number of ways water could ingress and explained how that entry could even be some distance and even through the smallest of holes and spread through capillary action. He also made the point that this weekends weather was not normal.

 

[Mikeyboy7]

I’m not sure, but I think once water ingress happens, it tends to create a path, and it just keeps happening again.

 

[Cubist]

Hi cubist, just to be clear, would you use
Plumbers mate over silicone if the windows are Upvc ?

For a temporary repair Yes. Longer term I would root out the silicon and replace it.

 

[Cubist]

Seems I was guilty of an assumption that Jollystevens window frame was UPVC and missed the correction advising that it was wooden frame.

This may point to an alternative cause of water penetration which results from shrinkage of the frames wooden elements after installation.

Such shrinkage can compromise the seal of any caulking material and be almost impossible to detect with the naked eye. Of course, when the wood expands after getting wet the seal MAY appear to re-establlsh itself but, depending on the caulking material used, can open up again when the timber dries.

 

[JollySteven]

Seems I was guilty of an assumption that Jollystevens window frame was UPVC and missed the correction advising that it was wooden frame.

This may point to an alternative cause of water penetration which results from shrinkage of the frames wooden elements after installation.

Such shrinkage can compromise the seal of any caulking material and be almost impossible to detect with the naked eye. Of course, when the wood expands after getting wet the seal MAY appear to re-establlsh itself but, depending on the caulking material used, can open up again when the timber dries.

Thanks for further advice . This is really helpful. The fitters assure me the seal is fine .

 

[Mikeyboy7]

Thanks, Cubist. I was thinking of doing something over the weekend, so if the brick is still a bit wet, would applying Plumber’s Mate work for a temporary fix? I know I’ll need to replace the silicone properly later, just trying to stop the water for now.

What about using a stone and brick sealer? I was hoping to hold onto the stone look, but I’m getting a lot of weather exposure as I’m south-facing. Otherwise, I was considering lime plaster in the future. Also, it looks like there’s a dip where the window sits on the cill. Will the sealer affect the lime adhering to the stone if I need to do that later?

 

[Cubist]

so if the brick is still a bit wet, would applying Plumber’s Mate wor

Yes. Plumbers putty is typically used to seal the joints of foul waste water pipes and sanitary ware. It must be firmly pressed into place fresh from the tub and after a few weeks a skin will form on its exposed face. However, it will not set completely and can be fairly easily removed later as needed.

Someone used it to caulk a few of the infill panels here a long time before we occupied the place. Beneath the outer surface is still malleable and doing a good job.

What about using a stone and brick sealer?

In my view, and of other members here, is that sealants are never a good idea with bricks as these may work to trap water near the face and induce spalling.

Also, it looks like there’s a dip where the window sits on the cill.

Do you mean the small sash window in the photo? If so, is the gap between the window-frame and the stone(?) cill or between the brickwork and the underside of the stone cill?

Will the sealer affect the lime adhering to the stone if I need to do that later?

If you must use it then I would think it would have to be throughly dry before you apply any mortar.

 

[Mikeyboy7]

I’ve noticed a small gap where water seems to be lodging, and I was also wondering if, inside the window frame, water could be seeping out into the sides of the wall. The Alucad windows are about 10 years old, and they don’t have a DPM under the cills. Would it be possible to use Plumber’s Mate between the cill and the window frame? I suppose I can give it a try to see if it helps.

 

[Cubist]

Would it be possible to use Plumber’s Mate between the cill and the window frame? I suppose I can give it a try to see if it helps.

Yes, but you'll need a putty knife or similar to push it into place and slide the blade away from it - its sticky as hell out of the tub and theres a risk of pulling it out otherwise.

 

[Mikeyboy7]

Yes, but you'll need a putty knife or similar to push it into place and slide the blade away from it - its sticky as hell out of the tub and theres a risk of pulling it out otherwise.

Thanks